Download China`s Natural Barriers

China's Natural Barriers
Ancient China was isolated from much of the ancient world because of its geography. It wasn't until around 200 BCE that
China was aware of any of the other civilizations around the Mediterranean, like the ancient Roman and the ancient
Greeks. For thousands of years, the ancient Chinese thought they were pretty much alone on the planet, except for
barbarians to the north, the Mongols. China's natural barriers to the west, south and east helped protect the ancient
Chinese people from invasion.
Dangerous Deserts:
Gobi Desert: is one of the driest deserts in the world. Compared to the horrors of the Taklamakan Desert, however, the
Gobi is a paradise. In the Gobi, there is at least hope of water, although water (an oasis) is very rare.
Taklamakan Desert: is called the Sea of Death from which no one escapes. The Taklamakan is the second largest desert
in the world. It offers poisonous snakes, frequent sandstorms, boiling days, freezing nights, and intense water shortage.
A very brave explorer did cross this desert on foot relatively recently. In 1998 Carla Perrotti, a 51-year-old Italian woman,
crossed this desert. She walked over 200 miles in 24 days, alone
Numerous Mountains: China has some of the highest mountain rangers in the world
Himalayas: are one of the highest mountain ranges in China. These rugged mountains are home to the ten highest peaks
in the world
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. It is actually in Tibet, not in China, and is located close to the border
between these two countries.
Vast Seas: China Sea, Yellow Sea, Pacific Ocean
Major Rivers: They were called the Great Sorrow because during the flood season all the towns along the river would be
destroyed. Each year, they rebuilt.
The Huang He (Yellow River) is about 4800km long, about the distance of Vancouver to Quebec City. The river ends at
the Yellow Sea. Civilization in ancient China began along this river because the soil is fertile
Yangtze River: the third longest river in the world. It's nearly 6400 km long and ends at the Yellow Sea. At its lowest, the
Yangtze is about 25 feet deep. When the snow melts it gets about 160 feet deep. The river flows through some of
China's best farmland. People have always built their homes and towns high above the river because of annual flooding.
TURN OVER
China's Natural Barriers
Pros & Cons
Being isolated can be positive or negative for a civilization. Isolation can be positive for Ancient China because it
prevented armies and barbarians from invading their lands. This provided the people with a sense of safety and security
allowing China to expand without fear of invasion. China could then focus their energy into innovations and food instead
of protection. Another postive of being isolated would be that they are only exposed to their own ideas and cultures.
This was a benefit as they could concentrate on exploring their own technologies, beliefs, and ideas without influence
from the outside world. This allows them to create complex beliefs and a social structure system that was unique from
other civilizations.
Isolation can also be a negative thing for a civilization. It did not provide valuable connections with neighbouring
civilzations for technologies, beliefs, languages, and innovations. Without these influences it limited China's world view
and required them to create everything on their own rather than borrowing ideas from others. Trade routes were
virtually non-exsistant so the opportunity to trade goods was not available. China had to make do with whatever
resources they had around them and did not benefit from importing valuable goods and resources from outside of their
borders. This put restrictions on what they were able to do and create which increased difficulty for making things.
Your turn!
Use the template at the station to create your pro & con flip chart to go on your geography page. You will need 2 cons
and 2 pros. Your mark will directly relate to how much detail you provide for each.
Cut the template along the bold lines and fold along the dotted. Write 'Pro 1', 'Pro 2' on the fronts of one side of your
flip book and 'Con 1' and 'Con 2' on the fronts of the other side.
TURN OVER